Chapter 39: Advancing by Retreating

Chen Mingjiang’s voice was low; even when he laughed, it remained steady, instilling an inexplicable sense of trust.

After Zhong Yuan shared a soft laugh, he got straight to the point: "What do you want to know?"

Chen Mingjiang fell silent for a moment before asking in a deep voice: "How many Chinese people are still in that place?"

Zhong Yuan thought for a moment and said: "I saw about twenty or thirty people, but I’m not sure if they are all Chinese."

"Do you have the specific location?" Chen Mingjiang asked again.

"I do," Zhong Yuan replied. He paused, then added: "However, they have certainly moved the people by now, and there is a high probability they have already reached Myanmar."

Chen Mingjiang went quiet upon hearing this, then said: "I know."

Hearing that, Zhong Yuan didn't say anything more, only adding: "I will send you the exact coordinates shortly."

"Alright, thank you!" Chen Mingjiang answered.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Zhong Yuan inquired.

Chen Mingjiang suddenly let out a soft chuckle and said: "Although I know you likely won't answer this, I still want to try. Who are you?"

Zhong Yuan looked at the tourists coming and going on the street outside the window and narrowed his eyes slightly.

To be honest, he really did not want Chen Mingjiang and his associates to know his identity. Although the number of people who knew the identity of 'Zhong Yuan' should have been small, the fact that government personnel had been able to follow Qin San to Rek Village meant that Qin San's side was no longer secure.

This was also why, when he left the country, Zhong Yuan had not used official channels but had instead smuggled himself out. The identity of Zhong Yuan was only adopted after he had arrived abroad.

Yet, at this moment, when Chen Mingjiang asked, a different thought suddenly crossed Zhong Yuan’s mind. After a brief hesitation, he replied: "My name is Yu Guang! 'Yu' as in the remainder of one's life, and 'Guang' as in the rays of light!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mingjiang laughed and offered a polite remark: "A good name; I'll remember it!"

Zhong Yuan chuckled in response but did not continue the conversation.

Chen Mingjiang asked nothing further. However, after hanging up the phone, he immediately placed a call back to China.

The man who called himself 'Yu Guang' had refused to reveal his identity earlier, but now he had offered his name. This suggested that he surely intended to convey something through it.

But what could it be?

Furthermore, according to the information he had gathered from the three children, the trio led by 'Yu Guang' had just happened to run into them and saved them on a whim. But if it were just a coincidence, why were they carrying guns in that place?

Chen Mingjiang did not have to wait long to receive the full file on the name 'Yu Guang.'

From his birth to his disappearance.

Thirty years of life experience, condensed into just a few pages.

The more Chen Mingjiang read, the tighter his brow furrowed.

In particular, before his disappearance, Yu Guang had been implicated in a murder case. The victim was a principal of a local high school. The file indicated there was evidence pointing to Yu Guang as the killer, yet it did not specify what that evidence was. Moreover, the case was never officially closed; it had simply been left in limbo.

This was highly illogical.

Although he was not an investigator, he was well-versed in the standard procedures of such matters.

Yu Guang’s disappearance was too suspicious.

And the fact that 'Yu Guang' had originally refused to show his face, only to reveal his name after a single night—this anomaly, combined with the suspicious nature of the file, led Chen Mingjiang to a certain possibility.

Chen Mingjiang reached out to his contacts in China again. He needed to confirm his hunch.

However, this time, he did not receive a response for a long time.

But sometimes, no news is a signal in itself.

Chen Mingjiang was almost certain that after Yu Guang went missing, he must have gone undercover, and the secrecy classification of this mission was so high that even his own connections in China could not access any information regarding it.

But if Yu Guang really was an undercover agent, what was his purpose in revealing this name to him?

Was he trying to use him to establish contact with certain people in China?

Or was he trying to use him to send some kind of signal to people back home?

Chen Mingjiang did not dare to dig any deeper. After all, if Yu Guang was indeed an undercover agent embedded in Nan Tai, continuing to pry could very well bring him trouble.

Night fell.

Chen Mingjiang stood by the window for a long time before sending a text message to Yu Guang’s number: If there is anything I can help with, feel free to ask!

Yu Guang replied quickly: "Are you serious?"

Chen Mingjiang stared at the two words and was stunned for a moment.

Then, he gave a bitter laugh.

It seemed that the man had already calculated everything.

However, despite being caught in the trap, he didn't feel any resentment. After some thought, Chen Mingjiang replied: "Within my capabilities, I will never break my word."

About a minute after sending the message, Yu Guang replied: "If I wanted you to help someone leave Nan Tai safely, would you be able to do it?"

Chen Mingjiang frowned slightly as he looked at the text.

"Sending someone safely out of Nan Tai"—these simple ten words actually revealed a great deal. For instance, this person definitely could not leave Nan Tai through normal channels. They would either need a new, legal identity or be smuggled out.

For him, while he had ways to facilitate smuggling, the risks were too high. Procuring a legal identity carried equally significant risks. If word of this leaked, he would not only lose his position but could also face imprisonment.

But since he had already given his word, refusing now would make his previous, solemn vow seem like nothing more than empty talk to save face.

Of course, if someone else had made this request, Chen Mingjiang would have refused without a second thought. But since the other party was Yu Guang—a man who was very likely an undercover agent who had been living under an assumed identity for six years—it was difficult to refuse.

Most importantly, Yu Guang said he wanted to help someone else leave Nan Tai, meaning it was not for himself.

He had no intention of leaving!

Chen Mingjiang’s mood became complex, and before he could think it through, the phone in his hand vibrated again.

Yu Guang wrote: If it is too difficult, never mind. Consider this conversation as if it never happened!

Chen Mingjiang could not help but laugh bitterly.

This Yu Guang was truly a master at manipulating others.

What a brilliant move—advancing by retreating!

Yet, he was not annoyed.

He understood that someone like Yu Guang would not ask for help unless he had truly reached a point of no return.

Moreover, even though he had mentioned this, there was no telling if that day would ever actually come.

Chen Mingjiang lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and replied: "This matter is indeed difficult, but since you have asked and I have already made my promise, I will not back down. Rest assured, if that day ever comes, I will do my absolute best!"

Not long after, Yu Guang replied: "Many thanks!"

Chen Mingjiang looked at these words, narrowed his eyes, and started to smile.

This Yu Guang was truly a remarkable man!